Downtown Investment Grants

The Downtown Investment Grants (DIGs) program, operated by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, supports Main Street organizations in revitalizing historic commercial districts. By providing funding for projects that require a 2:1 match, DIGs aim to enhance economic improvement, foster community investment, and empower local leadership. Projects funded through DIGs should align with the Main Street organization's mission and address specific transformation strategies to ensure sustainable development and community engagement.

Background
The Virginia Main Street Program is a preservation-based economic and community development program that follows the Main Street Approach by the National Main Street Center. Virginia Main Street is a Main Street America State Coordinating Program that offers a range of services and assistance to communities interested in revitalizing their historic commercial districts. While the program was designed to address the need for revitalization and on-going management of smaller to mid-sized downtowns, aspects of the Main Street Approach may be applied successfully in other commercial settings.
Downtown Investment Grants (DIGs) allow Main Street organizations to take on unique, one-time projects that measurably, creatively, and sustainably advance the organization’s goals and strategies. DIGs involve multiple downtown partners and require active leadership and participation by the organization’s board, committees, and volunteers.